Trivia Time

When used in connection with a stringed instrument, the word thrum is an example of what?

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thrum

¹ American  

[thruhm] / θrʌm /

verb (used without object)

thrummed, thrumming

1. 

   to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.

2. to sound when thrummed on, as a guitar or similar stringed instrument.

3. to drum or tap idly with the fingers.

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verb (used with object)

thrummed, thrumming

1. to play (a stringed instrument, or a melody on it) by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.

2. to drum or tap idly on.

3. to recite or tell in a monotonous way.

noun

1. an act or sound of thrumming; dull, monotonous sound.

thrum ² American  

[thruhm] / θrʌm /

noun

1. one of the ends of the warp threads in a loom, left unwoven and remaining attached to the loom when the web is cut off.

2. thrums, the row or fringe of such threads.

3. any short piece of waste thread or yarn; tuft, tassel, or fringe of threads, as at the edge of a piece of cloth.

4. Nautical. Often thrums short bits of rope yarn used for making mats.

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verb (used with object)

thrummed, thrumming

1. Nautical. to insert short pieces of rope yarn through (canvas) and thus give it a rough surface, as for wrapping about a part to prevent chafing.

2. to furnish or cover with thrums, ends of thread, or tufts.

thrum ¹ British  

/ θrʌm /

noun

1. 1. any of the unwoven ends of warp thread remaining on the loom when the web has been removed

   2. such ends of thread collectively

2. a fringe or tassel of short unwoven threads

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verb

1. (tr) to trim with thrums

thrum ² British  

/ θrʌm /

verb

1. to strum rhythmically but without expression on (a musical instrument)

2. (intr) to drum incessantly

   rain thrummed on the roof

3. to repeat (something) monotonously

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noun

1. a repetitive strumming or recitation

Other Word Forms

• thrummer
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of thrum¹

First recorded in 1545–55; imitative

Origin of thrum²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun thrum, thrum(m)e, “end-piece (from the warp of a loom)”, Old English -thrum (in tungethrum “ligament of the tongue”), cognate with Old High German drum “end-piece”; akin to Old Norse thrǫmr “brim, edge, verge,” Latin terminus, Greek térma “end”

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Explanation

When you make a rhythmic strumming sound, either with your voice or a stringed instrument, you thrum. If you and your friends all play the guitar, it may be fun sometimes to sit around and thrum together, improvising tunes. This word can also be used as a noun, to describe the kind of melodic hum that guitar strings make when you strum them. So you might say you found your way back to the campsite by following the thrum of your mom's mandolin, or that you love the thrum of rain on the metal roof of your grandparents' house. Thrum, like strum and hum, is imitative, mimicking the sound it describes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thrum thrummed thrumming

Critics fear irreversible damage, with plumes of waste smothering marine life and the thrum of heavy machinery disrupting migrations.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

“Geopolitical gyrations, volatile short-term economic data and the incessant thrum of prediction markets all contribute to the cacophony,” to the point that many investors feel compelled to stick to the AI trade, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

Outside the new Estadio da Luz, yet to be built when Mourinho last coached Benfica, there was a thrum of media activity and excitement as news broke of the veteran boss' return.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025

“I’ve cried with my team a lot,” she said over the soft thrum of conversation in the airy cafeteria-style bistro.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2025

Her blood began to thrum, and her heart was suddenly pounding.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

But underneath the pomp and circumstance thrummed a question: Could Garber land a megadonor he had been courting for roughly two years?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Their shantytown, nestled in the middle-class neighbourhood of Jodhpur Park, thrummed with life.

From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2024

At this summer’s performance at the Teragram Ballroom, Sullivan’s two feet and tap board thrummed along with Goldings’ Hammond B3 organ and extremities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023

Throughout it all, the perils of climate change, poverty and inequality have steadily, increasingly thrummed through each convening of world leaders at the U.N.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 17, 2023

I thought of positive liberty, and of what it might mean to self-coerce, until my head thrummed with a dull ache.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

The glitchy breakbeats and thrumming basslines of Ambiguous Desire are a major shift for the singer-songwriter - but they always feel authentic.

From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026

Beyond kohl-lined eyes and miniskirts, “you have this really sort of buzzy, thrumming cultural setting,” she says, citing the Civil Rights Movement, space exploration and the Vietnam War.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

“Hello,” Grohl sang coolly over a bed of thrumming electric guitars, “I’ve waited here for you.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2026

That thrumming sound of doubt doesn’t necessarily lead to murder, but it suggests that being born to privilege is hardly a ticket to a successful life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025

Inside, my heart is pounding, my blood thrumming in my ears as the fear response urges me to run run run.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

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